The Young Lady Only Wants to Cultivate Immortality Chapter 18

“Oh my heavens, look! It’s a golden dragon! It’s Spiritual arts: Dragon Manifestation!”

“Spiritual arts: Dragon Manifestation! Heavens, Gu Jingyang actually knows Spiritual arts: Dragon Manifestation! Too strong, Gu Jingyang is too strong!”

Exclamations of awe rose and fell among the crowd. A’Ling also clutched her trembling chest. Is this the youth of a genius? Too strong.

Forget about Spiritual arts: Dragon Manifestation. In her previous life, even after cultivating in the inner sect for years, she couldn’t even manifest a snake.

“Won, won!” The gray-clothed man was incredibly excited, feeling that this round was secure. If Gu Jingyang could win the next round, she would be rich.

A’Ling was also very happy, not just happy about winning, but also happy about Gu Jingyang’s abilities.

The presiding cultivator glanced at Shi Qingqian, who stood motionless to the side, wanting to ask if she would forfeit this round and proceed to the next.

But before she could speak, Shi Qingqian pinched a blank spell talisman between two fingers. She formed hand seals, and the talisman rose with the wind, flying directly towards the swirling golden dragon above.

It seemed like an attempt to strike a rock with an egg, or for an ant to shake a tree.

A’Ling narrowed her eyes, gazing at Shi Qingqian in the distance, who was activating the talisman. Under the warm sun, Shi Qingqian, clad in white, had slightly raised long eyebrows and an indifferent expression. Though she was bathed in sunlight, her entire being resembled a frosty autumn scene in the Moon Palace, her eyes shining with cold brilliance.

Only, this coldness was different from her usual coldness…

Not good, A’Ling withdrew her gaze and immediately looked up at the sky.

The magical golden dragon circled majestically in the air, baring its fangs and claws as it coiled around the Chaotic Stone Bell, which emanated a light of profound history. It watched a tiny spell talisman fly before it.

A slit formed in the magical golden dragon’s enormous golden pupils as it regarded the insignificant talisman, then it flicked its tail and breathed out a mouthful of fire.

The thin, leaf-like talisman caught fire in the air, gradually turning to ash. The scattered ashes drifted down, then were blown away by the wind.

Seeing the burning talisman paper, even the cultivator masters in the upper seats couldn’t sit still this time. They all stood up, wanting a closer look.

They hadn’t expected Gu Jingyang to not only be able to manifest a dragon with spiritual arts but for the manifested dragon to not be a mere facade; it could actually breathe true fire.

The domineering golden dragon looked down upon the spiritual energy arena, striding confidently, its golden scales gleaming in the sunlight.

If it wasn’t said to be a manifestation of spiritual arts, who could discern its true nature?

The cultivator masters in the upper seats felt ashamed and inferior. They had cultivated for many years, and some specialized in spiritual arts, yet none could achieve Gu Jingyang’s level. Their own manifested dragons could be discerned as illusions at a glance.

Strong, truly too strong. Gu Jingyang’s talent in spiritual arts is unmatched.

The presiding cultivator instructor saw that the talisman paper was almost completely burned and was about to declare Gu Jingyang the winner. Just then, the heavy tolling of the Chaotic Stone Bell suddenly resonated.

“Dong—Dong—Dong—”

Why would the Chaotic Stone Bell suddenly toll? The presiding cultivator instructor felt puzzled. Could the golden dragon possibly have the spiritual energy to strike the bell?

Before she could ask who had struck the Chaotic Stone Bell, suddenly, a prolonged roar, carrying the force of crumbling mountains and splitting seas, like a mighty bell, resonated from above.

“This, this is—”

The spiritual energy arena instantly dimmed. The sun overhead was completely obscured by an enormous entity. The presiding cultivator instructor’s pupils trembled. She wanted to shout for everyone to quickly hide, but in her panic, she couldn’t make a sound.

Finally, someone, she didn’t know who, was the first to react.

“Oh no, it’s a Qilin!”

The spiritual energy arena erupted into chaos. The cultivating students frantically tried to escape, their panic growing with every moment.

They didn’t know why the ancient divine beast, the Fire Qilin—a legendary being said to tread on meteors and swallow mountains and rivers—had appeared in the small Hongjian Academy.

But everyone knew that a Qilin’s long roar could split mountains and rivers, and an enraged Qilin meant bodies strewn across the land. They had to flee for their lives.

The cultivator masters clutched their heads, trying to organize the students’ escape amidst their panic, but Elder Zeng stopped them.

“Don’t panic, it’s a manifested Qilin.”

His voice was deep and powerful, amplified by spiritual arts, reaching every corner of the spiritual energy arena. Only then did the chaotic scene gradually subside.

A’Ling kept her head tilted back, gazing at the sky. She knew immediately that it was a manifested Qilin, because the Qilin’s eyes were closed.

She told Gu Jingyang about this discovery, and the people around, hearing her words, looked up and only then noticed that the Qilin’s eyes were indeed closed.

“It’s spiritual arts! It’s a spell! It’s Shi Qingqian! Look at Shi Qingqian!”

Someone shouted this, and only then did everyone react, turning their gazes collectively to Shi Qingqian. They saw her forming hand seals, her fingertips glowing with golden light, silently chanting as she activated her spiritual arts.

Only then did everyone confirm it was indeed Shi Qingqian’s spiritual arts.

Shi Qingqian actually… manifested a Qilin with spiritual arts!!!

Unlike their previous astonishment at Gu Jingyang’s Spiritual arts: Dragon Manifestation, this time everyone collectively fell silent, each with their mouths agape, staring in utter shock at the ancient divine beast in the sky.

A’Ling didn’t look at the divine beast in the sky. Her gaze crossed the spiritual energy arena, observing the monster opposite her.

Is this an ability a Core Formation stage cultivator can possess? A’Ling’s heart pounded wildly, her eyes filled with horror.

Not far away, Shi Qingqian still wore her white robes. Her hair was casually tied into a single bun, half of her dark hair loose in the wind. As the wind around her grew stronger, her dark hair flew, and the plain white hem of her skirt shimmered with specks of silver light, dancing continuously in A’Ling’s vision.

Something about her was different, A’Ling thought. Just as her white robes gained a silver glow, Shi Qingqian’s usually aloof aura, which made people only dare to observe her from afar, now carried a hint of menacing ferocity.

The person being watched suddenly opened their eyes, their gaze directly meeting A’Ling’s. That gaze was like a tsunami, carrying a blatant, fierce aura.

A streak of golden light leaped from Shi Qingqian’s palm. The entirely dark Qilin instantly seemed ignited, and the spiritual energy arena suddenly regained its light, brightening completely.

In the bright light, A’Ling noticed that Shi Qingqian’s usually faint cherry-colored lips now held a hint of crimson, curving slightly upwards under A’Ling’s horrified gaze.

“No good! Jingyang, watch out!” A’Ling struggled to shout a warning to Gu Jingyang.

Gu Jingyang knew immediately that the Qilin was a spiritual arts manifestation. She just couldn’t believe it. She couldn’t believe Shi Qingqian was actually stronger than her in spiritual arts!

Gu Jingyang had already stored up all her spiritual energy, just waiting for Shi Qingqian to make her move.

She poured all her spiritual energy into her palm, and a golden light shot towards the golden dragon. The golden dragon let out a roar and breathed roaring flames towards the Qilin.

Gu Jingyang was gambling, betting that Shi Qingqian’s Qilin was merely an illusion. However, she quickly realized she was wrong.

Shi Qingqian’s Qilin was completely unaffected by the raging flames. It simply lifted its front hooves lightly and shattered her manifested golden dragon with one stomp.

She lost.

Lost completely.

Gu Jingyang’s entire body lost its strength, and she softly swayed to the side.

Just before she fell to the ground, she was suddenly caught by a warm embrace.

Gu Jingyang saw A’Ling’s nervous expression and smiled apologetically: “I lost. I’ll compensate you for your spirit stones.”

She also wanted to say that she probably couldn’t be chosen for the same team to fight the Ferocious Beasts. Shi Qingqian fought so hard to win, it couldn’t just be to defeat her, right?

She looked into the distance. After Shi Qingqian withdrew her spiritual arts, her face was deathly pale, as if her internal energy was also completely depleted, and she swayed precariously.

Gu Jingyang felt a little better. Her opponent had also given two hundred percent effort, which counted as respecting her as an adversary.

Shi Qingqian struggled to steady her swaying figure, refusing all who tried to assist her. Her gaze lowered, fixed on the figures embracing each other on the ground in the distance.

Gu Jingyang was helped to her feet by A’Ling and told the approaching cultivator instructor that she was fine.

The cultivator instructor then inquired after Shi Qingqian. Seeing that both were fine, she waved a hand towards Elder Zeng and the others in the upper seats, signaling assurance.

Only then did those above relax. They too hadn’t expected to witness such a spectacular match in what was merely a monthly academy test.

“Elder Zeng, such a spectacular match hasn’t been seen in a hundred years.”

“Truly breathtaking. With such outstanding cultivating students, our Hongjian Academy’s reputation will have no problem lasting another hundred years.”

The presiding cultivator instructor also recovered from her shock, suppressing the tremor in her heart, and announced the results with a trembling voice.

“Second round, Spiritual arts: Shi Qingqian wins.”

As the announcement fell, thunderous applause erupted in the silent spiritual energy arena, and cheers resounded endlessly. The cultivating students uniformly began shouting Shi Qingqian’s name.

“Shi Qingqian.”

“Shi Qingqian.”

“Shi Qingqian.”

Each shout was louder than the last. Even the usually indifferent cultivator instructors excitedly called out twice.

Truly magnificent!

A’Ling found these cheers grating. Her heart tightened as she looked at Gu Jingyang, who appeared somewhat dejected beside her.

“Gu Jingyang, your Spiritual arts: Dragon Manifestation was also incredibly powerful. It was amazing.”

A’Ling spoke earnestly, and Gu Jingyang knew she was sincere. If it weren’t for Shi Qingqian’s Qilin, she would be the one being cheered and praised right now.

She was excellent, but couldn’t withstand someone else being even more excellent.

Gu Jingyang recovered her composure: “I’m fine now. I’ll go congratulate Qingqian.”

The match was already lost, and she couldn’t lose her grace as well. Gu Jingyang smiled slightly.

A’Ling felt a strange ache in her nose. She deeply understood that feeling of there always being someone superior to you.

She squeezed Gu Jingyang’s hand tightly, but didn’t know how to comfort her. She couldn’t even comfort herself.

“I’ll support you.”

Gu Jingyang nodded. Her steps were indeed unsteady, and walking felt somewhat difficult. Looking at Shi Qingqian across the arena, though she also looked pale, she was able to stand on her own.

The gap between them truly is quite significant.

Only when A’Ling helped Gu Jingyang walk over to Shi Qingqian did she notice that Shi Qingqian’s face was not only pale, but there was even a trace of blood at the corner of her lips, and her eye sockets were filled with red marks.

“Are you alright?” Gu Jingyang asked with concern.

Shi Qingqian lowered her gaze, glancing at Gu Jingyang and A’Ling’s intertwined hands. A flicker of obscurity crossed her eyes, then she shook her head and said in a suppressed voice, “I’m fine.”

Gu Jingyang’s face was full of suspicion. She felt that Shi Qingqian might be even worse off than her. She noticed Shi Qingqian’s fingers hanging by her side, beads of blood seeping from them.

“You—” Gu Jingyang’s words were cut off by Shi Qingqian before she could finish.

“I’m fine.” Her tone dropped another notch, as if she didn’t want Gu Jingyang to press further.

Gu Jingyang’s brows furrowed slightly, and she glanced at A’Ling beside her.

A’Ling had felt uncomfortable ever since she got close and looked at Shi Qingqian, so she simply turned her head away to look into the distance, not noticing Shi Qingqian’s abnormality.

Gu Jingyang withdrew her gaze and nodded at Shi Qingqian: “I am utterly convinced by my defeat in this match. I am not as good as you.”

Hearing this, A’Ling felt a bit indignant on Gu Jingyang’s behalf: “You’re only temporarily not as good, not for an entire lifetime.”

This was also what she told herself.

Gu Jingyang neither confirmed nor denied. Seeing that Shi Qingqian’s expression seemed to worsen, she patted A’Ling: “Let’s go.”

A’Ling nodded, glanced at Shi Qingqian’s dark face, and let out a cold snort. She just won a match, and she’s so arrogant. Her opponent came to congratulate her, and she puts on such a sour face. What’s the point of winning if you have no grace?

Looking at her one more time feels unlucky.

A’Ling quickly helped Gu Jingyang to a side seat, worried she was upset, and patted her hand with a smile: “Don’t worry, you’ll definitely be stronger than her in the future.”

Gu Jingyang looked at the hand A’Ling had just patted. For some reason, A’Ling’s gesture reminded her of her great-grandmother.

Seeing Gu Jingyang spacing out, A’Ling raised her voice slightly: “What, don’t you believe me?”

Gu Jingyang snapped back to attention and shook her head at her words: “No, I believe you.” Not only did she believe A’Ling, she believed in herself.

Shi Qingqian watched their intertwined arms, her expression complex.

The cultivator masters in the upper seats confirmed the match results. The presiding cultivator instructor announced the best-of-three system: Shi Qingqian had won two rounds, thus winning this match. For the upcoming beast hunt trial, she would have priority in selecting team members.

“The beast hunt trial the day after tomorrow will be divided into two teams, with Shi Qingqian and Gu Jingyang each leading one.”

“As before, every member of the winning team will receive a Qi-Gathering Primordial Pill.”

“Next, Shi Qingqian will first select nine people from the Class B newcomers to participate in the beast hunt trial the day after tomorrow.”

After the presiding cultivator instructor finished speaking, she waved her hand, and the list of Class B newcomers eligible to participate in the trial appeared in the sky like an open book.

The newcomers all looked up at the sky, trying to find their names.

The list was ranked by cultivation level. A’Ling glanced at it: Excellent, second to last.

No choice, who told her she had just entered Foundation Establishment?

Shi Qingqian looked up at the names in the sky and casually pointed from top to bottom. Wherever she pointed, the name on the page would light up.

The students whose names lit up cheered excitedly: “Great! I’m on Shi Qingqian’s team!”

The students whose names weren’t called secretly prayed, hoping they would be next.

As names lit up one by one, it meant fewer and fewer spots remained. Some of the newcomers who hadn’t been chosen yet were on the verge of tears from anxiety.

Everyone knew that in past trials, Shi Qingqian’s team usually won, and winning meant receiving a Qi-Gathering Primordial Pill, which was a huge benefit for newcomers who had reached Foundation Establishment but not yet Core Formation.

It could greatly accelerate their Core Formation speed.

Zhao Diqing closed her eyes, not daring to look at the names lighting up one by one. She perked her ears, listening to those around her silently count: “Four more, three more, two more.”

“Ah, only one spot left!”

Someone in the arena cried out, and that shout made everyone’s heart leap.

Even the newcomers whose names had already been selected were curious about who the last lucky person would be.

A’Ling was also looking at the sky, trying to recall if any of the remaining names belonged to powerful figures from later on. Including them would increase the strength of her and Gu Jingyang’s team.

When she heard someone shout, ‘Only one spot left,’ A’Ling suddenly felt a gaze that was hard to ignore.

A’Ling looked in the direction of the gaze. Shi Qingqian had a somber expression, lost in thought.

A’Ling frowned in disgust, wondering why Shi Qingqian was looking at her. She better not be plotting something bad.

Shi Qingqian noticed A’Ling’s furrowed brow and the distrust in her eyes. The hand pointing at A’Ling’s name subtly shifted.

The last name lit up, much to everyone’s surprise.

But then they thought about it and felt it was the arrogance of a powerful figure, as if to say, she could win even by taking the last person on the list.

All nine names lit up, and a cheer went through the spiritual energy arena.

Zhao Diqing tightly covered her mouth. She couldn’t believe Shi Qingqian would choose her!

A’Ling let out a cold snort. Trash congregates.

When it was Gu Jingyang’s turn to select people, she quickly and evenly chose eight individuals from the upper, middle, and lower ranks. With A’Ling, that made a total of nine.

Once Gu Jingyang finished selecting her team, this month’s assessment was considered officially over.

The students who weren’t selected were dejected for a while but quickly recovered. After all, there would be a next time, once a month, and no newcomer would be perpetually left out.

A’Ling noticed Gu Jingyang’s complexion still wasn’t very good, so she offered to see her home. Gu Jingyang didn’t refuse.

Though it was said that A’Ling was taking Gu Jingyang home, they were still riding in the Gu family’s carriage.

As soon as they arrived at the Gu family residence, the moment A’Ling alighted from the carriage, she saw Gu Hongjue coming to meet them. He seemed to have been specifically waiting at the entrance, with quite a few beads of sweat on his face, looking like he had been waiting for a while.

Before A’Ling could even greet him, Gu Hongjue bypassed her and rushed to the side of the carriage.

“Jingyang, are you alright? Be careful.”

Gu Hongjue carefully raised both hands to help Gu Jingyang alight, then hastily ordered the servants to bring over a shoulder palanquin.

Gu Jingyang wanted to refuse, but her father didn’t give her a chance to speak.

A’Ling had even less of a chance. She felt that anyone in this world who could get a word in front of the Gu father and daughter must be quite something.

Gu Hongjue’s words were rapid and urgent. As soon as he finished ordering the palanquin, he cautioned the servants to be careful while helping Gu Jingyang onto it. He then acted like a personal attendant, holding an umbrella and fanning Gu Jingyang by her side.

Even amidst all that busyness, he still noticed A’Ling and reminded her to follow.

A’Ling had originally thought there was nothing else for her to do and wanted to leave, but Gu Hongjue’s anxious insistence that she stay made it impossible for her to refuse.

She still worried inwardly if Gu Jingyang had some internal issue she wasn’t aware of. Otherwise, why would Gu Hongjue be so panicked? It made her feel nervous too.

Gu Hongjue kept pace with the palanquin, continuously asking Gu Jingyang if she felt uncomfortable anywhere as they walked.

Gu Jingyang said she was fine, but after only a few steps, Gu Hongjue would worriedly ask again if she felt uncomfortable anywhere.

A’Ling didn’t know if Gu Jingyang felt uncomfortable anywhere, but her own heart felt a slight twinge of bitterness.

Passing through the long, winding path of the Gu family courtyard, and arriving at Gu Jingyang’s personal courtyard, A’Ling saw a familiar face.

Gu Hongjue had even already invited a physician, who was waiting in Gu Jingyang’s courtyard.

It was none other than the director of the East City Medical Hall, the same one who had treated her injuries back then. Now A’Ling suspected even more strongly that Gu Jingyang might have a hidden illness.

The director saw A’Ling and recognized her as the person who had sought treatment from her a month ago. As Gu Jingyang was being helped to her bed by Gu Hongjue and others, she expressed concern for A’Ling.

“Young friend, have your injuries healed?”

A’Ling smiled and nodded: “It’s fine now.” Although she would feel a bit of pain everywhere if she moved for too long, her daily activities were no longer hindered.

The director wanted to offer a few more words of caution, but Gu Hongjue eagerly called out from the other side: “Director, please come examine my Jingyang first! Her complexion is far too poor.”

The director nodded and walked inside. Gu Hongjue quickly stepped aside, allowing the director to examine his daughter thoroughly.

After standing up, Gu Hongjue said apologetically to A’Ling: “A’Ling, please wait a moment. Later, I’ll have the director examine you too. Let’s see if Jingyang is alright first.”

A’Ling quickly waved her hand and stepped back: “You go ahead, I’m fine.” She certainly didn’t want to delay Gu Jingyang’s examination.

Gu Jingyang had several comfortable soft pillows propped behind her. She lay half-reclined, exhaling comfortably. This way of lying down is truly comfortable.

“Father, I’m fine, just a little tired. Don’t scare A’Ling.” She saw the sudden nervousness in A’Ling’s eyes and knew that her father’s exaggerated reaction had made A’Ling misunderstand.

A’Ling was now looking at her as if she were a gravely ill patient.

Gu Hongjue didn’t think his reaction was problematic. When had his Jingyang ever had such a pale complexion, looking as if she’d been bled dry?

“Don’t speak for now. Whether you’re fine or not, we’ll know after the director examines you.” Gu Hongjue said to Gu Jingyang with a stern face, then turned to the director with a gentle expression: “Thank you for your trouble, Director. Please quickly examine my daughter and see if her foundation is injured.”

After a thorough examination, the director concluded: “She’s fine, just physically exhausted and has depleted too much spiritual energy. Two days of rest will suffice.”

Only then did Gu Hongjue relax a little. He ordered someone to bring the payment for the director. Seeing A’Ling on the side, Gu Hongjue gave an extra share: “Since the director is already here, why not examine A’Ling too?”

A’Ling raised an eyebrow, looking at Gu Hongjue. She hadn’t expected him to think of her.

“No, no need, I’m fine.” A’Ling was still a bit unaccustomed to being suddenly cared for like this.

Gu Jingyang leaned against the pillows, seeing A’Ling suddenly looking embarrassed, and sighed slightly.

“It’s something on the way, you don’t need to put on such a front.”

Hearing her say that, A’Ling no longer felt awkward and allowed the director to check her pulse.

“Your injury still needs good care. Although it looks healed, the root hasn’t fully recovered. I’ll prescribe some more medicine for you.”

A’Ling thanked the director and offered to pay for the medicine, but the director said the Gu family had already paid more than enough and it wouldn’t be right to accept more. A’Ling could only concede.

Wanting to thank Gu Hongjue, she turned her head and saw him pouring water for Gu Jingyang, pressing the back of his hand against the cup to test its temperature before handing it to Gu Jingyang.

A’Ling felt that she had originally been fine, but now she felt a little unwell, her heart aching faintly.

Gu Hongjue saw that Gu Jingyang had drunk the water and her lips had regained some color. Only then did he ask: “How could a small monthly assessment cause you to deplete your spiritual energy and exhaust yourself to this extent?”

Gu Jingyang felt no embarrassment, grinning: “Didn’t you always wish I could win against Shi Qingqian at least once?”

Gu Hongjue was displeased: “But I didn’t tell you to go all out like that.”

A’Ling felt a bit awkward. It seemed like this was her fault. She lightly coughed, interrupting their conversation: “It’s all my fault.” She wanted to say it was because she had tricked Gu Jingyang, claiming she bet ten thousand spirit stones instead of eight.

Gu Jingyang waved her hand: “It has nothing to do with you. You already lost so many spirit stones for me.”

Saying this, Gu Jingyang turned to Gu Hongjue and briefly explained how A’Ling believed she could win and had wagered on her. Then she said: “Father, remember to compensate A’Ling for the spirit stones she lost.”

Gu Hongjue readily agreed: “No problem. A’Ling supports Jingyang like this, so if she loses money, it’s on me.”

Then he asked with a smile: “How many spirit stones?” His tone carried a heroic air, like ‘Name the amount, and I’ll go get it.’

Gu Jingyang held up one finger: “Ten thousand.”

Gu Hongjue’s eyes widened: “How many?” His tone this time was far from heroic.

Gu Jingyang repeated: “Ten thousand.”

Gu Hongjue looked up at A’Ling: “Did you hit your head?”

A’Ling’s mouth twitched. Of course she hadn’t hit her head.

Before she could speak, Gu Jingyang raised an eyebrow: “What, Father, you don’t believe I can win? Look how much A’Ling trusts me, she directly wagered ten thousand on me.”

Gu Hongjue awkwardly rubbed his nose: “No, it’s not that. Of course, I want you to win, but one also has to consider the actual circumstances.”

Gu Jingyang smiled: “So, Father, are you going to compensate for these spirit stones or not?”

A’Ling quickly interjected: “No need, actually, hehe, I didn’t wager that much.”

Hearing this, Gu Jingyang lowered her gaze slightly, her voice taking on a trailing, nasal tone: “Hmm?” Her eyes held a hint of danger.

Trouble, A’Ling thought to herself.

Meanwhile, at the Hongjian Academy’s spiritual energy arena.

Shi Qingqian gazed at the empty pathway ahead, her eyes vacant.

“Are you alright?” Zhao Diqing had been observing Shi Qingqian. When everyone had left, Shi Qingqian seemed to have entered a meditative state, simply staring in the direction of the academy gates.

Seeing Shi Qingqian’s face as pale as paper, Zhao Diqing’s heart clenched: “Do you want me to escort you back?”

Hearing this, Shi Qingqian seemed to react, turning to look at her. A flicker of confusion crossed her eyes, but only for an instant.

“No need, thank you.”

Zhao Diqing wanted to say more, but Shi Qingqian suddenly moved. Her steps, however, appeared quite weak, so Zhao Diqing, feeling uneasy, followed her.

“Wherever you’re going, I’ll help you get there.” Zhao Diqing said, extending her hand with some hesitation.

Before she could touch Shi Qingqian, Shi Qingqian evaded her with a side step.

Shi Qingqian’s gaze turned a degree colder. She looked at the person beside her with a hint of inquiry: “Who are you?”

Zhao Diqing’s hand froze in mid-air, her face filled with disbelief. Shi Qingqian actually didn’t recognize her.

How could this be? She tried to force a smile: “I’m Zhao Diqing, I’m—” What was she? Zhao Diqing suddenly ran out of words. Was she the Zhao Diqing who always followed A’Ling around?

She stopped dead in her tracks. Shi Qingqian actually didn’t recognize her. They had entered Hongjian Academy in the same year, and were both in Class A-6, although they had never spoken…

Shi Qingqian saw her dazed and on the verge of tears, and a flash of something unreadable crossed her eyes.

Seeing that the person wasn’t following anymore, she said nothing further and went straight to the back mountain.

In the Tranquil Shade Herb Hut on the back mountain, Apothecary Yang Xia was meditating. Hearing the commotion, she slowly opened her eyes.

“Come inside and lie down.” She seemed to know Shi Qingqian was coming, pointing to the inner room where tools were already prepared.

After Shi Qingqian entered the room, Apothecary Yang Xia set up a barrier around the Tranquil Shade Herb Hut and lit Spirit Soothing Incense in all four corners of the room before entering the inner chamber.

Looking at Shi Qingqian on the bed, her eyes tightly closed in pain, blood tears continuously flowing, she softly muttered, “Serves you right.”

Despite her annoyance, her hands didn’t pause for a moment. Needles, each as long as a palm, vanished without a trace as they entered Shi Qingqian’s body.

Apothecary Yang Xia took seven arm-length golden needles and sealed Shi Qingqian’s vital meridians. As she probed upwards along the spine, halfway through, her brow had already furrowed into a small peak; the situation was worse than she had imagined.

A surge of energy in Shi Qingqian’s meridians moved against the flow, all converging towards Shi Qingqian’s face.

In an instant, half of Shi Qingqian’s face was covered in dark red blood patterns.

Apothecary Yang Xia took a medicinal pill and placed it into Shi Qingqian’s mouth. Soon after, the medicine took effect.

The streaks of blood patterns seemed to come alive, all converging towards the red mole at the corner of Shi Qingqian’s eye.

Apothecary Yang Xia took a Luo River Nymph Shattering Nail from her medicine box, infused it with spiritual energy, and gently inserted it into the red mole at the corner of Shi Qingqian’s eye.

The slender Luo River Nymph Shattering Nail instantly turned crimson. Apothecary Yang Xia dared not delay and immediately began chanting an incantation at the captivating red mole.

The blood patterns on Shi Qingqian’s face gradually began to squirm, like savage leeches lured by fresh blood, all drilling towards the Luo River Nymph Shattering Nail.

Shi Qingqian’s forehead instantly beaded with large drops of sweat from the pain, which slid down her cheeks, dampening her collar.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, when the blood patterns on her face had completely receded, Shi Qingqian looked as if all the blood had been drained from her body. Her entire being was so pale it seemed transparent, devoid of any vitality, like a humanoid form conjured from a wisp of void mist that could vanish without a trace with a single poke.

Apothecary Yang Xia’s face was solemn, her breath held. She looked at the almost transparent Shi Qingqian, clearly seeing her skeletal structure, meridians, and her golden core within.

“Good thing your golden core isn’t shattered, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to save you.” Saying this, she removed the Luo River Nymph Shattering Nail that had been inserted into the red mole at the corner of Shi Qingqian’s eye.

Shi Qingqian’s translucent skin instantly returned to normal. Aside from an unusual flush at the corner of her eyes, everything else was as usual.

“Your demonic energy has been temporarily sealed.” Apothecary Yang Xia threw the Luo River Nymph Shattering Nail in her hand into the transparent glazed jar beneath the west-facing window. Similar nails already lined the bottom of the jar.

“Using demonic energy to suppress your cultivation is not called a breakthrough. This is inherently dangerous, like throwing a firecracker into a sealed jar.” Apothecary Yang Xia pointed to the glazed jar in the corner. “If your body were that transparent jar, you would constantly see the spiritual energy within you on the verge of exploding at any moment.”

“Now you just can’t see it, but it’s not gone. You’re already barely surviving on the edge of a mountain of blades and a sea of fire, and you still want to add fuel to it.”

Shi Qingqian slowly opened her eyes, looking at the Wild Goose Return Vine coiled around the roof beam. Its flower buds had bloomed at some unknown time. Time passes so quickly; it’s another year for flowers to bloom.

Apothecary Yang Xia removed all the golden needles from Shi Qingqian’s body and helped her up: “Tell me, why today?”

She had heard the Qilin’s roar in the herb hut and knew something was wrong. After asking someone, she found out Shi Qingqian was engaging in a spiritual arts duel.

“Such small matches are only taken seriously by the academy’s newcomers. What was it for? Don’t tell me it was for those few pills of mine?”

Shi Qingqian lowered her head, pressing the red mole at the corner of her eye. Although the shattering nail had been removed from there, it was still very painful.

Apothecary Yang Xia grew more puzzled seeing her avoid the topic: “You’re not someone who cares deeply about gains and losses, nor do you care for the empty titles of first or second. Why did you suddenly become so impatient?”

Apothecary Yang Xia had heard that Gu Jingyang’s Spiritual arts: Dragon Manifestation was supposed to be a sure win, but Shi Qingqian directly manifested a Qilin with spiritual arts just to win against her.

Shi Qingqian and Gu Jingyang had monthly matches, and Shi Qingqian won every time. Could it be just to avoid losing once?

She then thought of the incident a month ago when Shi Qingqian came to her injured: “Last month, you endured being ambushed by others. What made you care so much this time?”

Apothecary Yang Xia didn’t believe that Shi Qingqian would do this just to win a monthly assessment. That would be like saying Shi Qingqian had lost her mind.

Shi Qingqian slightly lowered her eyelashes, not letting Apothecary Yang Xia see the obscurity in her eyes. She didn’t know why, but at that moment, she just really wanted to win.

Really, really wanted to win.

Apothecary Yang Xia sighed: “Fortunately, you haven’t completely lost your mind. The Fire Qilin didn’t open its eyes, so it wasn’t a complete manifestation. While this level is strong, it’s at least not defying the heavens, and can be explained away as talent.”

When she heard about it, she was startled, worried that Shi Qingqian had revealed too much, exposing her true cultivation.

A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. It’s the same everywhere. Unless one is strong enough, how else would so many young geniuses fall in their youth?

Shi Qingqian scoffed inwardly. Strong? Then why did that person say she wasn’t as good as Gu Jingyang, that Gu Jingyang was stronger than her?

Seeing Shi Qingqian keep her head down and remain silent, Apothecary Yang Xia sighed: “Too ostentatious. Last time, in Kaiyao Mountain, you knew to be discreet—”

Before she could finish, Shi Qingqian, who had been silent, suddenly spoke: “Kaiyao Mountain has a Demon Suppression Barrier laid by Qiongdian Peak, which can sense demonic energy.”

Apothecary Yang Xia paused. Was she explaining why she held back back then?

“How do you know Hongjian Academy doesn’t have inner sect spies? Aren’t you worried about exposing your demonic energy in the academy?”

Shi Qingqian suddenly lifted her head, looking directly at Apothecary Yang Xia: “It’s different. Kaiyao Mountain is full of demons. My demonic energy is too pure; it would cause a riot among all the demons.”

Apothecary Yang Xia understood. That was indeed the case. Exposing herself in Kaiyao Mountain might have meant more than just Shi Qingqian’s death.

She truly didn’t care about her own life or death.

“You were so ostentatious this time. It’s possible your reputation will reach the inner sect.”

Shi Qingqian lightly pursed her lips: “It doesn’t matter.” Anyway, she would be going to the inner sect in a few months, so it didn’t matter if they knew beforehand.

Apothecary Yang Xia frowned: “Have you found any clues? Do you know who that person is now?”

Shi Qingqian: “I don’t know.” Jin Siliu provided too few clues. Although there aren’t many people in the inner sect who fit the description of her ‘father’, there are still quite a few.

Apothecary Yang Xia looked at Shi Qingqian’s stunning face and sighed: “You look exactly like your mother. If he sees you, he will definitely recognize you.”

Shi Qingqian understood the implication of his words. The other party could recognize her at a glance, yet she couldn’t recognize them. The enemy was hidden, and she was exposed; it was truly dangerous.

“If he still wants to kill you—” Apothecary Yang Xia felt that it was too dangerous for Shi Qingqian to go to the inner sect. It would be better to cultivate outside for a few more years, perhaps she could make a breakthrough and gain more self-preservation abilities then.

Shi Qingqian remained silent. If the other party wanted to kill her, she might indeed be no match for them right now.

“Good and evil cannot coexist. He could even kill your mother on a whim…” Apothecary Yang Xia felt that the other party wouldn’t spare Shi Qingqian just because she was his child. When Shi Qingqian was young, he had already been sending people to hunt her down.

It was just that Jin Siliu had switched the children, so they had hunted the wrong person.

According to Jin Siliu, those people had pursued them for ten years before giving up.

It was unclear whether they had voluntarily given up or if they had given up because Jin Siliu and the others had entered the Demon Realm, making it dangerous for cultivators to enter.

Apothecary Yang Xia had another layer of worry: “Putting aside that beast, just your special physique—if your demonic nature is exposed, even if you do nothing, you will become an anomaly among them, intolerable to the cultivation world. At best, you’ll be exiled; at worst, you’ll be killed…”

“Then it depends on whether they have the ability.” Shi Qingqian smiled faintly. An anomaly? She was indeed an anomaly.

An anomaly born from a cultivator and a demon.

“An anomaly!”

“The Pure Immortal Physique is truly too anomalous!”

After Gu Hongjue heard A’Ling recount what happened in the spiritual arts duel, he felt a lingering fear: “Shi Qingqian is also too anomalously strong.”

He had never heard of any Core Formation stage cultivator being able to manifest an ancient divine beast with spiritual arts.

The news he received only said that his Jingyang’s manifested dragon still lost. He had thought it was because Jingyang’s magic dragon was too weak and was defeated by other spiritual beasts manifested by Shi Qingqian. He never would have imagined it would be a Qilin, let alone a Fire Qilin.

Terrifying, absolutely terrifying.

Is this the terror of the Pure Immortal Physique?

“Jingyang, remember to stay far away from her from now on. Your father doesn’t want you to win against her anymore. Just keep your distance from her in the future.” Gu Hongjue paused, then looked awkwardly at A’Ling, as if just remembering her relationship with Shi Qingqian.

A’Ling immediately declared herself on his side: “I’ve long said Shi Qingqian is no good.”

Gu Hongjue nodded. He now agreed with that point.

There must be a demon where things are abnormal.

Today’s matter was too strange. He had an indescribable sense of unease and couldn’t help but ask A’Ling: “Do you know who Shi Qingqian’s birth parents are?”

He really wanted to know what kind of people could give birth to such a powerful Pure Immortal Physique. He always felt they weren’t ordinary people. He had long believed that a weakling like Huo Zhen couldn’t have produced a formidable character like Shi Qingqian.

A’Ling shook her head. She didn’t know this question either. Across both her lives, she never knew who Shi Qingqian’s parents were.

Otherwise, she would have long since gone to their doorstep and had them take Shi Qingqian away, instead of letting her be an eyesore under her nose.

Moreover, even Jin Siliu didn’t know. She was Shi Qingqian’s biological mother’s servant, only knowing that Shi Qingqian’s father was a cultivator and used a false name.

Jin Siliu had always called Shi Qingqian’s mother ‘Master’, only knowing her surname was Shi. Other details like her given name or identity were completely unknown.

She was so single-mindedly devoted to her master. Whether her master was good or bad, righteous or evil, she asked no questions. When her master told her to protect Shi Qingqian, she could use an innocent her (referring to A’Ling herself in her previous life) as a substitute.

A first-rate ‘loyal servant’, A’Ling scoffed lightly. Their bond of living together day and night, depending on each other, was still inferior to the master’s child whom she had never met.

Thinking of this, A’Ling felt as though her throat was stuffed with cotton, choked and uncomfortable.

She had always secretly suspected that Shi Qingqian’s mother might not be human, or at least not an ordinary human.

Because she knew, Jin Siliu was a demon.

How could an ordinary human use a demon as a servant?

But none of this concerned her; she didn’t want to care. Right now, she only wanted to cultivate diligently and form her golden core soon.

Gu Hongjue didn’t ask anything further. Seeing Gu Jingyang’s exhausted appearance, he took A’Ling and withdrew.

Gu Hongjue invited A’Ling to stay for dinner, wanting to continue hearing about the afternoon’s match. He still didn’t know how his Jingyang had lost the first round.

A’Ling thought about how Gu Jingyang had been defeated in a single move. If Gu Hongjue heard that, he would probably be heartbroken again for a while. She didn’t want her own heart to ache anymore.

People are truly different from one another. Fathers are also different from fathers.

A’Ling politely declined Gu Hongjue’s dinner invitation, took the eight spirit stones Gu Hongjue compensated her with, and bid farewell. She still had many things to attend to.

First, she needed to go buy a few Voice-Eating Birds. Gu Jingyang only agreed to forgive her for tricking her about betting ten thousand spirit stones on certain conditions.

Thinking of that condition, A’Ling felt a pang of agony.

She had promised Gu Jingyang she would listen to all her Phoenix Feather Messages, not missing a single one!